Additional Needs

Please Don’t Park There

Posted by Brittney Baumgartner on 18th December 2018 Additional Needs, Disabilities

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Dear Fellow Driver,

Those few parking spaces at the front of businesses and buildings you see, with the blue marked lines and handicaps signs, are more than just a “quick” stop.

You may be in a hurry and thought to yourself, “it’ll just be real quick and then I’m gone”.

There may not have been a handicap sign and you failed to see the symbol on the street.

You may have even parked a little wide and are parked over the marked lines for the handicap spots.

It usually doesn't matter the reason, and I am sure I have heard them all.

But if you do not have the appropriate license plate or placards for using such a space, please do NOT park in the designated areas.

My son is young, and actually does not realize there are special spots like these made for him, but I do.

I am the parents that has to cross her fingers hoping that a spot is available for us when we need it.

I am the parent that has to see these parking spots abused by people who feel more entitled than those with the legal right to them.

Getting my son in and out of the car and in to his wheelchair is no easy task.

It will only get harder and he gets older and heavier to carry.

The lines are marked to allow people like myself and others, the appropriate amount of space needed for ramps and such to extend allowing us or the person to be able to get in to their own car with an accessible device.

Of course, I am only speaking on my behalf and those that I know with wheelchairs as accessible modes of transportation.

There are so many other reasons people need these parking spaces.

So please understand that my son’s needs are so much more important that what is convenient for the moment.

Please understand that if I approach you, it is only with intent to better educate you on the purpose of a handicap spot and why it is so important for families like my own.

I do this, with hope, so that my son will not have to deal with this on a daily basis as he gets older and more independent.

With hope, that he can see people who respect the true purpose of these parking spaces and uses them accordingly.

So next time you are in a hurry, please remember that my son’s needs are not to be used for your convenience.